25 Things You MUST Do With a Baby in Seattle

You’ve made it through the dizzying first month with baby. Now you’re itching to get out and explore the city again. Only this time, you’ll be packing a stroller, a well-stocked diaper bag and your new-parent badge. Before your baby turns one (and that happens much faster than you think!) check these 25 things off your Seattle baby bucket list. Scroll down to get started!

1. Take a Fitness Class

2. Go Out to Dinner

Remember when the hardest part of going out to dinner was choosing the restaurant? Sure, it’s harder to eat out with your better half now that baby has arrived, but we’re firm believers in going when baby is young, and can still sleep through at least one course of the meal. Psst! When she’s older, try one of these family restaurants that cater to kids. Or better yet, take advantage of a kid's eat free night.

3. Make the Rounds at Green Lake

There’s just something about strolling around Green Lake on a sunny day that makes it a parent/baby fave. Do it early and often in that first year. And check out more stroller-friendly walks and trails here.

photo: Lorin Belcher

4. Say Yes to Woodland Park Zoo

Even if baby isn’t oohing and ahhing at all the animals you’ll see at Woodland Park Zoo, spend a day there. Sunshine, stroller-friendly walking paths and plenty of grassy areas where your cutie can crawl around make this a baby must-do. Psst! Don’t forget to head to Zoomazium for some indoor exploration, too.

photo: Seattle Art Museum

5. Visit SAM

Art museums with toddlers? Not so much. But when baby is still young enough to be content in the stroller, take advantage and visit the Seattle Art Museum (SAM). Don’t forget the city’s First Thursdays program when you can score free admission when you visit.

8. Ride the Ferry

Sometimes just getting to where you’re going with baby in the car can be a struggle. Bypass the drive-time headache by riding the ferry. Park the car and hit the deck where baby can explore, with or without his stroller. You’ll get where you need to be and he'll be happy. A win-win for both!

10. Try a Swim Class

Spend time in the water with baby at a local parent/baby swim class. Not sure where to start? Get our suggestions here before you dive in!

11. Cool Off at a Wading Pool

On a hot summer day, take baby to one of the city’s wading pools to beat the heat. Nothing says "chill” like sitting in the wading pool in your swim diaper with mom or dad doing the same nearby.

photo: Allison Sutcliffe

12. Wander Through Kubota Garden

With stroller-friendly walking trails and grassy areas in every direction, this 20-acre garden is a perfect baby day destination. Pack a picnic, sunscreen and your sun hat, so you can spend plenty of time wandering the grounds and letting baby roam. Psst! The garden is open year-round, so you can stroll rain or shine.

photo: Recess

13. Visit a Play & Learn Play Space

Your baby totally digs his toys, but sometimes he just wants something new. Take him to a Kaleidoscope Play & Learn time to socialize and play with toys that he won’t find in his own room.

15. Make Music

Meet other parents and introduce your little bundle to musical instruments at a Sunshine Music Together class. Classes for ages 0-5 are offered all over the city, from Queen Anne to West Seattle to Redmond. Register for a free class here.

16. Bike the Burke-Gilman Trail

The fact that you can bike for miles without having to cross the street is one of the Burke’s biggest perks. Put baby in the bike seat or trailer and get pedaling. If you need to feed or change baby during your ride, plan to make a pit stop at these fantastic spots along the trail.

photo: Erin Cranston

17. Dig in the Sand

When it’s too rainy to hit the beach, but you know baby needs to explore, Lil' Diggers Playtime at Sandbox Sports in Georgetown is a great alternative. The sand is clean, the toys are plentiful and there are plenty of places for parents to perch. Dig in!

19. Explore Volunteer Park

Lots of stroller-friendly paths and a conservatory, too! These are just a few of the things that make Volunteer Park a great place to take baby, stroller-ed or strapped on. Psst! Check out our list of 38 other parks and playgrounds we guarantee baby and the big kids in your crew will love.

photo: Woodland Park Zoo Tunes

20. Go Wild at Zoo Tunes

It doesn’t get more family-friendly than BECU’s ZooTunes during the summer months. Grab a seat near the back, spread out a picnic blanket and enjoy the show. The best part? Concerts are over by 8:30 p.m., so baby can get plenty of rest.

photo: Stacy Ebstyne

21. View Art Outside

The Olympic Sculpture Park is another fantastic place to stroll with your cutie. Nine acres of green space and larger-than-life art along the waterfront make this a great day destination. Want to learn more about the park? Take baby on the free, 60-minute walking tour: Sight Sculpture Shoreline: Discover Olympic Sculpture Park.

Still feeling adventurous? Stroller down the street and take baby to the Seattle Aquarium to gawk at all the fish and adorable sea otters.

photo: Julie Seguss

22. Attend Baby’s First Concert

Take your wee one to his first concert. From library concerts to outdoor summer fests headlined by some of Seattle's best kindie rockers, we’ve rounded up plenty of baby-friendly concerts in this guide.

24. Solve a Mystery

An outdoor mystery scavenger hunt is a great way to spend the afternoon—especially if it has you wandering the streets of Fremont and you can bring baby along with you. Grab your besties and hit the streets as you work to solve The Mysteries of Noximillian.

photo: Curated Care’s Baby Whisperer

25. Find a Babysitter

If you don’t do it in baby’s first year, it only gets harder. Give yourself the treat of a trustworthy sitter, so you and your significant other can commit to the Q.T. Not sure where to start? Check out our list of must-ask questions.